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Villanova University

Villanova University

Villanova, PA · 6.9k students

SelectivePrivateSuburbGraduateCampus-basedvillanova.edu
71.7/100

Trajecta score

+1.1 since '20

Ranked #76 of 2,375

5-year trend

'20'24

69.7 · #75

2020

72.1 · #112

2021

70.8 · #125

2022

70.8 · #140

2023

70.8 · #142

2024

AcademicCareersSuccessAfford.Invest.Access

Academic Profile

78/ 100

Career Outcomes

92/ 100

Student Success

89/ 100

Affordability

33/ 100

Academic Investment

91/ 100

Access & Equity

23/ 100

Academic Profile

78

Career Outcomes

92

Student Success

89

Affordability

33

Academic Investment

91

Access & Equity

23

AI Fit Analysis

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Cost / Net Price

$85k / $44k

SAT Avg

1,460

Retention

95%

Grad Rate

92%

Admissions

27%admission rate
EliteH.SelSelectiveModerateOpen

Test Scores

SAT Range1,460
4001000120014001600
25th: 1,395Average: 1,46075th: 1,510
ACT Range33
118243036
25th: 32Midpoint: 3375th: 34

Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.

Finances

Tuition

In-State Tuition

$67,776

per year

Out-of-State Tuition

$67,776

per year

Aid & Debt

Pell Grant Share

12%

undergraduates receiving Pell

Federal Loan Share

35%

students borrowing

Median Debt

among completers

$25,874

Admissions Factors

What Villanova University says it weighs

Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.

3.93

average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen (unweighted) · 16% reporting

Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what Villanova University reports weighing in admissions.

FactorVery ImportantImportantConsideredNot Considered
Rigor of secondary school recordRigor of secondary school record: Very Important
Class rankClass rank: Considered
Academic GPAAcademic GPA: Very Important
Standardized test scoresStandardized test scores: Considered
Application essayApplication essay: Very Important
Recommendation(s)Recommendation(s): Important
InterviewInterview: Not Considered
Extracurricular activitiesExtracurricular activities: Important
Talent/abilityTalent/ability: Important
Character/personal qualitiesCharacter/personal qualities: Important
First generationFirst generation: Considered
Alumni/ae relationAlumni/ae relation: Considered
Geographical residenceGeographical residence: Considered
State residencyState residency: Considered
Religious affiliation/commitmentReligious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered
Volunteer workVolunteer work: Important
Work experienceWork experience: Considered
Level of applicant's interestLevel of applicant's interest: Not Considered

Supplemental Essays · 2026-27

school's admissions site ↗

Villanova University essay prompts

Prompt One: Advancing equity and justice

RequiredChoose 1about 250 words

As Pope Leo XIV (Villanova Class of 1977) has said, “no one can single-handedly bear the weight of the challenges the world is facing, just as no one is so weak that they cannot play their part.” What have you done to play your part in advancing equity and justice in your community?

Prompt Two: A lesson in life

RequiredChoose 1about 250 words

What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others at Villanova?

Prompt Three: New home

RequiredChoose 1about 250 words

"Villanova" means "new home." Why do you want to call Villanova your new home?

Prompt Four: Technology and the common good

RequiredChoose 1about 250 words

Villanova embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a commitment to thoughtful, ethical use rooted in our Augustinian mission and values. How do you see technology helping you to lead, serve, and contribute to the common good?

Prompt Five: Strengthening one another

RequiredChoose 1about 250 words

At Villanova, we often say "each of us strengthens all of us." Please detail a time when someone has borrowed some of your strength in their time of need.

Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →

Methodology

How these rankings work

The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.

Read the full methodology

Selectivity tiers

EliteUnder 10% admit rate
Highly Selective10–20% admit rate
Selective20–40% admit rate
Moderate40–65% admit rate
Open65%+ admit rate

Score dimensions & weights

Career Outcomes25%

Median earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.

Academic Profile22%

Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.

Affordability15%

Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.

Student Success13%

Graduation rate and first-year retention.

Academic Investment12%

Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.

Access10%

Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.

Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.

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